News from Central High School -- Philadelphia

Happy Spring! In honor of celebrations at the Philadelphia Zoo, we are presenting our own animal issue -- birds, a cow and a rabbit. We may be horsing around, but we're not "lion." That said, we hope you are enjoying the Central High School newsletter -- a volunteer effort brought to you by the Home and School Association with assistance from the Associated Alumni of Central High School. With support from you, this newsletter will help Central tap into the talents and resources of the entire Central family -- students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. Tell your friends to sign up for the newsletter. Please send your comments, suggestions, ideas to centralhighschoolnewsletter@yahoo.com.

Thank you,

Jane Von Bergen and Diane Luckman, co-editors

Coming Wednesday: Tweet, tweet

That's the sound of our little birdies flying away from home to college and their new lives. The Home and School Association has invited John Frank, a Mt. Airy psychiatrist/psychoanalyst specializing in work with adolescents and their families, to speak at our next meeting. John Frank will talk about how we, as parents, can cope with the change in our lives as we become empty nesters. He'll also discuss how we can build a new relationship with our children, as they soar onto their next state of independence (and then come fluttering back for Thanksgiving, the winter holidays and summer vacation.) John Frank and his wife Elaine have three grown sons who all seem to have successfully navigated their college years and still have a strong relationship with their family. There will be plenty of time for parents to share concerns and questions. Don't miss this important meeting! (We will also be making some plans for next year.) Please invite your friends. We'll gather at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22 in the Spain Conference Center. Membership is not necessary to attend, but we'd like you to join. Your membership helps to underwrite programs like this. Refreshments will be served.

We're Hoppy to Present...

"Harvey," brought to you by Central's Drama Society. Take one middle-aged drunk (No doubt we can all imagine someone who could be cast in that part!) and throw in a six foot tall white rabbit named Harvey and you have the makings for a highly entertaining comedy of errors. Very bunny, somewhat hare-raising. Showtimes are Wednesday and Thursday, April 29 and 30 at 3:30 p.m. and Friday, May 1 at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Central's auditorium. Directed by Sylvan Kesilman, 215, and produced by Central science teacher, Alan Bronstein, 218, the play features the technical and theatrical talents of many dedicated Central students. Tickets are $5, but $3 for senior citizens and students. Rabbits can attend free, but must bring a carrot.

Udderly Fabulo

Holy Cow, this is impressive! For its fourth annual "Art of the Dairy" contest, company of Genaurdi's supermarkets, sought designs to paint on large cow sculptures. The theme was "Moo-sic" and John Khvang, 268, hit the right note with a bunch of jazzy cows on the mooove. Out of 9,200 designs submitted, 30 were chosen, including John's. The naked eight-foot by five-foot cow was dropped off to art teacher Debra Cooperstein's basement warren of cheerfully-chaotic, paint-splattered art rooms. Not cowed by the challenge, John and his fellow students applied the magic and the paint. Soon this example of bovine beauty will move to the Genuardi's store in Wynnewood, where on Wednesday, April 22, the store will host a "Meet the Artist and Cow" reception from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Ms. Cooperstein believes in milking these contests to benefit the students and the department. Besides gaining the experience of producing top-notch work for their portfolios, students can win cash prizes or scholarships. If John's design is the cream of the crop, he and Ms. Cooperstein will each win $5,000 and the department will earn $20,000. Now Ms. Cooperstein is thinking about how great it would be to use the cow as the inaugural piece in a sculpture garden on the roof deck outside the cafeteria. Grazers outside. Grazers inside. More on the art department in an upcoming issue.

One Plus One Equals Help

Most students at Central know they can get help with just about any subject at the Academic Support Center from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. But for help with Algebra I, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Geometry and Calculus, Central students have a special alternative. The alternative is Ed Spector, a retired Central teacher who makes himself available to students all day, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mr. Spector hangs out in a conference room in the Barnwell Library, ready to lend a hand to any students who stop in during their lunch periods. It's a quiet, casual and very comfortable setting. Students can come in just to check an answer for a single homework assignment problem or get more in-depth help. Mr. Spector's help is available on a one-on-one or group basis. No special sign up is needed; students can just drop in. Mr. Spector enjoys the task and is delighted to keep his hand in on a part time basis. He feels that "Central is the best high school in the city" and means to do his part to keep it that way.

Cancer Research

For most of his high school career, Jeffrey Simons, 268, a remarkable student scientist, has been a soldier in the battle against breast cancer. As part of Central High School's mentally gifted scientific research program, he leaves school early every day and heads to Fox Chase Cancer Center, working under the supervision of Dr. Edna Cukierman, an esteemed biologist who herself made important discoveries about cell structure as a post-doc researcher. In her lab, Jeff works on research dealing with understanding how cancer moves along connective tissue in the breast. Jeffrey has earned a string of prizes, including a $20,000 scholarship. So far this year: first place and best of fair award at the George Washington Carver Science Fair, the Medimmune Advancing Science for Better Health Award, first place at the Delaware Valley Science Fairs in medicine, bronze overall, the AstraZeneca Award, the Centocor Biotechnology Award, and the Philadelphia Drug Exchange Award. His work has also been published in Biomed Central Cancer, an online open access medical journal. Jeff's career in science and medicine has only just begun. A graduating senior, he dreams of being a neurologist or neurosurgeon. "I never expected to be doing graduate level research while I was in high school."

From War, Friendship

How would Clarissa Ai Ling Lee, a college student from Malaysia, come to know where Central High School is, what the kids there are like and what the Lancers are? The answer goes back more than 60 years and is one peaceful legacy from the devastation of World War II. In September, 1945, Arkansas Senator J. William Fulbright introduced a bill that called for the proceeds from the sales of surplus war property to fund the "promotion of international good will through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture and science." Some of that international good will came to Central recently when Clarissa, a Fulbright Scholar, and some of her colleagues visited. Each year Scholars from all over the world come to the U.S., attending colleges in many cities, among them Philadelphia. While at Central, the Scholars, including some from Spanish-speaking countries, stopped by Ms. Chavez' Spanish class. Clarissa reported that she and her fellow scholars felt "right at home" at Central because of the diversity, interest and friendliness of Central's students and teachers. Interested in having a small group of very engaging and lively college students from all over the planet over for dinner? Check out the International Visitors Council for opportunities.

Kindness Yields Dividends

Sometimes a simple act of kindness can yield unexpected dividends. That's what happened to Steven Foltz, 269. One snowy morning, he got up early and shoveled his own walk, plus the sidewalks of some elderly and infirm neighbors. No big deal. But things started to snowball. A few days later, his English teacher, Rachel Tolliver, 256, asked students working on a practice test to write something about helping others based on ideas from the One Book-One Philadelphia choice, "The Soloist," by former Inquirer columnist Steve Lopez. Steve Foltz couldn't really think of anything dramatic, so he tossed off an essay on the snow shoveling in the allotted 25 minutes. Ms. Tolliver, however, thought it was good enough to enter in a citywide writing contest. Steve received a $100 prize at Free Library of Philadelphia and met Mr. Lopez, who had written about his relationship with a homeless musician. For Steve Foltz, the experience reinforced two ideas: He gained affirmation of his own writing ability, which is key for the junior's career choice as a sports journalist. And he learned that the satisfaction of kindness is its own reward. Later that snowy day, a neighbor had called his mother, weeping in gratitude, "That was heartwarming. It was all the thanks I needed," Steve said. "I really wasn't going out of my way, shoveling the snow. I'm young and I'm able to do it." Art work by senior Phil Lindsay, 268, also won a prize in the same contest.

Welcome 272

Some 3,856 eighth graders applied to join Central High School's 272d class, competing for 579 freshman slots in a school with a current enrollment of about 2,200. The class of 272 will come for freshman orientation on Thursday, May 14 at 6:15 p.m. (Editor's note: If you want to have tremendous fun, volunteer to help the Home and School Association sell baked goods. The excitement is contagious! To volunteer, sign up at the Home and School meeting on Wednesday, April 22. By the way, we also need lots of baked goods for that event.) Math and language placement tests follow on Saturday, May 16. More details in the next issue.

Library: Knowledge is Power

Central High School's Barnwell Library and Dr. William M. King Communication, Media and Research Center is rich with resources. Each newsletter we will bring you a tip on an available resource from Loretta Burton, the librarian. Today's tip: The library is open daily from 7:15 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. for research and for computer use. Additionally, the word processing program that is supported at Central is Microsoft Word (both Mac and PC platforms). Students can access the library's Destiny Online Card Catalog from home. Simply go to http://philasd.follettdestiny.com and click on the link for Central High School.

Celebrate a Magnificent Gift Yoruba artifact

Try to find time to visit the fabulous gift given to Central High School of more than 250 works of African and Oceanic art, many of them hundreds of years old. You can click here to see a slide show of the collection or you can stop by the Barnwell Library and the Dr. William M. King Communication, Media and Research Center. These works will be displayed permanently at Central High School, thanks to a donation by Dr. David Rilling, 209, and his wife Karina. This is a truly wonderful gift to the Associated Alumni of Central High School and to Central High School. This superb collection includes numerous items from Nigeria, Cameroons, Cote d'Ivoire and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The Oceanic items come from various places in New Guinea. The collection was assembled over many years by the Rillings who are devoted to this field of art and to Central High School. Dr. Rilling also plans to make himself available to address art and African-American history classes at Central. For additional information, contact Debbie Zarwin Rose, Alumni Affairs Coordinator, in the alumni office at 215-927-9550 or email her at chsalumniphl@aol.com.

Help Wanted

1. The Home and School Association is looking for officers for next year's executive board. The board's secretary and membership vice president are "graduating," so we need to elect their replacements. We may also need a replacement for the 271 class representative. Contact Miriam Foltz, the president, at chs_hsF@yahoo.com if you'd like to nominate yourself or someone else. It's actually fun! We'd especially like to encourage people of color to apply, so our board better reflects Central's diversity. Contact her immediately. Nominations close soon.

2. The Home and School Association is looking for ideas for speakers, especially for next year. Do you know someone (maybe you!) who is an expert in a topic that would interest parents? Would that person speak to us for free (our favorite price)? Please contact Miriam Foltz, the president, at chs_hsF@yahoo.com.

3. An assistant reporter/editor or two for the newsletter. Should be a 269, 270, 271 or 272 parent with good writing and reporting skills. Contact Jane Von Bergen at centralhighschoolnewsletter@yahoo.com

Acme and Target Fundraisers

Acme will give us one percent of total receipts, so please have your student deposit Acme receipts in the Acme box in the office. Target will send us one percent of what you spend on a Target Visa Card or Target Guest Card. Apply online at Target.com or at your local store. Our ID number is 90781. Last year we raised $900 from Target. Also send in labels from Campbell's products. They donate educational supplies in return. Thanks!

Letter from the Editor!

As editor of the newsletter, I get to know many Central students, parents and teachers and it is easy to get excited about their cool projects. Coming up at the end of the month is the school play, Harvey. The Home and School Association is helping to finance enhanced technical equipment for the auditorium, which will improve the quality of the sound. When I say the Association, I really mean the parents and teachers who have become members as well as those have made additional donations. Many of you have recently received a letter from the Home and School Association asking for an extra contribution. Please give generously, if you can in these tough times. With your donations and membership fees, the Association assists with many student and faculty initiatives including the orchestra, science programs, and publications such as the Centralizer and Mosaic. We also pay for some of the niceties -- the freshman tea, dinnerware for the International Cafe and modest receptions for Honors students. We help underwrite Central's stunning graduation ceremony at the Kimmel Center. Do yourself a favor and try to find a way to get to know the wonderful students and faculty at Central. You'll be impressed and inspired. Thank you.

Jane M. Von Bergen, editor and parent of Joey and Michael Bilyk, 266 and 268.

Thanks

Thanks to newsletter staffers, parents Dave Kalkstein and Kate Spellissy. Dave Kalkstein contributed the items on the African Art exhibit, the Fulbright visitor and Mr. Spector. Kate Spellissy provided the Harvey item and the library research tip. Continuing thanks to Dr. Pavel, Mr. Speir, and Mr. Walsh from Central's staff, and to co-editor and parent Diane Luckman, who made this issue look great.

Do you have information for the newsletter? Send updates on events and accomplishments to centralhighschoolnewsletter@yahoo.com.

Sincerely,

Jane Von Bergen, Newsletter Editor
Central High School -- Philadelphia